Report of the Fao Workshop on Encounter Protocols and Impact Assessments for Deep-Sea Fisheries in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Arendal, Norway 5-8 May 2015

As expressed in various international fora, as well as in global and regional instruments, encounter protocols and impact assessments are crucial for protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems from the impacts of bottom fishing activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This workshop report covers experiences and lessons learned in the development and implementation of these types of protocols and assessments. It identifies challenges in their implementation, relating for example to capacity, costs and timing, and has developed a suite of key messages for both concepts that will inform further regional and global discussions on the use of these tools.